The Young Playwrights Inc. Staff are preparing for all the reading that's headed their way—this year, more than in past years, as the New York City High School Playwriting Contest, in its 20th year, becomes the New York City Public School Contest. The submission deadline for the competition is set for April 1.

Now open to students from kindergarten to 8th grade, as well as the usual high school applicants, the contest will be judged in three separate categories: Elementary School (K-5; monologues and scenes in lieu of plays will be accepted), Middle School (6-8) and High School (9-12).

Participants of the contest will receive a detailed evaluation of their work and a special certificate of accomplishment. Winners will be honored at an awards ceremony June 12 at the Donell Public Library where scenes from the prize-winning plays will be performed.

YPI and Borders Books & Music are offering a free two-hour "Writing on Your Feet" workshop to help students get started. The workshop which "reinforces literacy, encourages self-expression, develops cooperative skills, builds self-esteem and enables student to view themselves as artists" will take place March 13 at 6PM. Borders is providing the space at their 461 Park Avenue (at 57th Street) store in the First Floor Literary Section for the event.

The guidelines for submissions are: •Entrants must be currently registered at a NYC elementary, middle or high school.
•No restrictions on length, style, or subject matter.
•Scripts must be typed and stapled, with numbered pages. Writers should keep their original script and submit a copy as they will not be returned.
•Plays must be submitted by the writer, not by a teacher or parent.
•Scripts must include the following information on the title page: play title, playwright's name, home address (including zip code and apartment #), phone number, school, grade, and date of birth. E-mail addresses are optional
•Not eligible are collaborations of more than two writers, screenplays, musicals or adaptations of other authors' work.

Scripts should be mailed by the deadline to 2001 NYC Public School Playwriting Contest, Young Playwrights Inc., 321 West 44th Street, #906, New York, NY 10036. Your submission will be accepted as long as the postmark meets the deadline.

For more information on the contest or other programs offered by YPI call (212) 307 1140 or visit www.youngplaywrights.org.

— by Ernio Hernandez